A Case for the Legalization of Prostitution in the United States

1568 Words7 Pages

Prostitution
“There is no difference in work in which a women sells her hands, such as a typist, and a work in which a women sells her vagina, as in sex work.” Claims author Lacy Sloan. In today’s society, many people believe that prostitution is an immoral act. It is the world’s oldest profession and because it has been long condemned, sex workers are stigmatized from mainstream society (ProQuest Staff). However, the act of purchasing sex between consenting adults should not be prohibited by the government, but regulated for society's overall best interests. Prostitution is illegal and as a consequence prostitutes are often victims of violence and sexual assault; therefore, prostitution should be legalized and regulated to ensure the safety of sex workers.
As prostitution is criminalized, this profession is driven underground which undermines the safety of prostitutes. Legalizing prostitution would provide sex workers with regulatory protection and allow this form of work to be recognized as legitimate. As the author of “Think Again: Prostitution” states, “evidence shows, that criminalization of sale or purchase (or both) makes sex workers-many of whom come from marginalized social groups like women, minorities, and the poor-more vulnerable to violence and discrimination committed by law enforcement. Also, criminalization can dissuade sex workers from seeking help from authorities if they are raped, trafficked, or otherwise abused.” Therefore, sex workers are subjected to unfair treatment that could be prevented if this work was legalized and safe conditions were enforced. The author of "Counterpoint: Prostitution Should Be Legalized” states, “prostitution is legalized and regulated in a variety of developed nations throughout ...
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...an attempt to designate sexual work as an immoral action
Works Cited
Ahmed, Aziza. "Think Again: Prostitution." Foreign Policy. Jan/Feb 2014: 74. SIRS Issues
Researcher. Web. 28 Apr. 2014.
Chittom, Lynn-noreBourassa, Cheryl. "Counterpoint: Prostitution Should Be Legalized." Points
Of View: Prostitution (2013): 3. Points of View Reference Center. Web. 20 May 2014.
Grant, Melissa Gira. "The War on Sex Workers." Reason. Feb. 2013: 31. SIRS Issues
Researcher. Web. 28 Apr. 2014.
"Legalizing Prostitution Doesn't Make It Safer." Washington Post. 24 Dec. 2013: n.p. SIRS
Issues Researcher. Web. 03 Apr. 2014.
ProQuest Staff. "At Issue: Prostitution." ProQuest LLC. 2014: n.pag. SIRS Issues Researcher.
Web. 03 Apr. 2014.
Sloan, Lacey. "Prostitution Should Be Decriminalized." Opposing View Points Resource Center.
Gale Group, 2000. Web. 6 May 2014.

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Prostitution is illegal in the United States, except for some counties in Nevada. However, prostitution is in most part of the United States, despite the fact that it has been legalized. Prostitution is an act whereby, one sells his/her body for sex. In the United States, Prostitution is divided into three broad categories; street, escort, and brothel prostitution. Brothel prostitution takes place in brothel houses, which are houses where prostitutes can sell sexual services. This kind of prostitution

Prostitution, considered one of the oldest professions in the world, was legal until 1915 when most states passed laws making it illegal. One of the main reasons for the prohibition of prostitution was to keep soldiers out of the brothels so they would stay focused on the war. After WWII, lawmakers left the prohibition laws in place instead of repealing them. Prostitution should be legal, regulated, and taxed. This would increase the quality of police protection, reduce waste in the judicial system

Pros and Cons of Legalizing Prostitution
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odd to think that prostitution, which is considered to be the world’s oldest profession, would be illegal and harmful in nature. The issue of legalizing prostitution has entered public conversation around the world, which is severely divided. Many, like myself, consider prostitution to be a victimless crime. Despite such opposition to legalizing prostitution, many argue that legalizing it would result in decreased morality issues, increase the economic activity in the United States, and help decrease

Legalizing prostitution! A way for the American government to create job opportunities for the American women that chooses this profession. Prostitution is legal in many countries, so why not all of the United States? Prostitution should not be a crime! Sex is not a crime. Exchanging of money is not a crime. So, why should the two combined be a crime? Women can have sex with as many people as she wants in her private life, it’s her body and her choice. So what if she charges for it. She is providing

selling sex legal?”
Prostitution is a world wide controversial matter that has been around for many years. The idea that prostitution entails the selling of one's body in exchange for money has had a negative impact in our society since it was first introduced into our presence. It is somewhat odd to think that prostitution, which is considered to be the world’s oldest profession, would be unlawful and destructive to society. Originally, prostitution was widely legal in the United States. Some of the women

Argument Analysis: Legalization of Prostitution
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The Prostitution Industry
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In what seems to be a world historical pattern, an upsurge in prostitution